Measles Outbreak: 43 Total Cases Now Confirmed In Southeast Michigan

LANSING (WWJ) - The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed an additional measles case in Southeast Michigan, bringing the state total to 43 for 2019.

The latest case, announced Wednesday afternoon, is in Oakland County, officials said.

Where there are no known new exposure locations related to this case, multiple additional exposure locations in Ingham and Kent counties were added to the list in connection with two cases -- one in Detroit and another in Oakland County -- that were confirmed Wednesday morning.

Anyone who visited the following locations on the following dates/times should watch for symptoms:

The outbreak, which began in mid-March, has resulted in 40 cases in Oakland County, one in Wayne County and one in the City of Detroit. In addition, an international traveler was diagnosed with measles following a visit to Washtenaw County, during which time he was contagious. Infected individuals range in age from 8 months to 63 years; a majority of the cases involve adults.

Michigan residents are urged to contact their healthcare provider or local health department about getting vaccinated for measles if they have not been vaccinated. A complete listing of local health departments is available at Malph.org/resources/directory.

The measles vaccine is highly effective and very safe. A single dose of measles vaccine protects about 95 percent of children, but after two doses, almost 100 percent are immune. The first of two routine childhood measles vaccine doses is given at 12-15 months of age. A second vaccine dose is given before the start of kindergarten, between ages 4 and 6 years.

The vaccine can be effective when given within 72 hours of exposure to prevent illness. In addition, immune globulin (Ig) treatment is effective within six days of exposure for high-risk individuals. Talk to your healthcare provider to determine if immune globulin is right for you.

This is the highest number of measles in the state since 1991 when 65 cases were reported. So far this year in the U.S., there have been 555 cases of measles confirmed in 20 states. Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that is spread by direct person-to-person contact, and through the air.

The virus can live for up to two hours in the air where the infected person was present. Symptoms of measles usually begin 7-14 days after exposure, but can appear up to 21 days after exposure and may include:

High fever (may spike to over 104˚F)

Cough

Runny nose

Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)

Tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums, and roof of the mouth (Koplik Spots) 2-3 days after symptoms begin

A rash that is red, raised, blotchy; usually starts on face, spreads to trunk, arms, and legs 3-5 days after symptoms begin

If symptoms develop, residents are urged to call their doctor or emergency room before arriving so they can take precautions to prevent exposure to other individuals